Safety locking device



w. H. HENDERSON SAFE Dec. 13, 1960 TY LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 16, 1959 i-lull ,a 4.1,. ....N... v.: ..31

UML

per

@hired States PatentG SAFETY LOCKING DEVICE William H. Henderson, 1402 W. 3rd St., Chester, Pa.

Filed Mar. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 799,546

3 Claims. (Cl. 232-16) This invention relates generally to coin machines and is especially concerned with the coin-receiving structure thereof.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed for use in connection with parking meters, and is illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is understood that the inventive concept here employed is capable -of many varied applications all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

lt is an important object of the present invention to provide a coin-receiving structure for a parking meter or the like which affords maximum security against unauthorized tampering and theft, to the extent that monies deposited in parking meters are safe even if the parking meter, including all parts thereof above ground, are damaged or removed. Obviously, this presents a very strong deterrent to any tampering whatsoever with such devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin-receiving structure of the type described, which is extremely easy to use and operate, as in the authorized removal of coins, and which requires little or no maintenance for a long and reliable yuseful life.

It is a further Vobject of the present'invention to provide a coin-receiving apparatus having the advant-ageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is durable and fool-proof in construction and use, and which can be economically manufactured and installed.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon 'reading the following Specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, Which'form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly 'consists 'in the features .of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a parking meter constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and illustrating certain novel parts thereof in cross section, with an alternative position being shown in dot-dash outline;

Figure 2 is an elevational view similar to Figure 1, but showing parts thereof in another condition of use;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken Substantially along the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figure 4, but showing a different operative condition of the instant device; and

Fig. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view showing certain parts of the instant structure in a spaced-apart condition.

2,964,237 Patented Dec. 13, 1960 ICC Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figure 1 thereof, there is illustrated therein a coin-machine proper, generally designated 10, which is shown for purposes of illustration as being a parking meter and having a conventional coin-receiving slot 11. The parking-meter coin machine 10 is mounted or carried on the upper end of` an upstanding post or standard 12, which may be 'a pipe or tube formed with a longitudinally extending hollow interior and having Vits lowerend region penetrating into and embedded in an anchoring body or ground 13. That is, the standard or tube 12 extends downward through the ground surface 14 and is fixed or embedded therebeneath, as by concrete 13.

The coin-machine proper 10 may be of conventional construction such that a coin introduced into the slot 11 may effect actuation of the machine. However, subsequent to actuating the machine 10, a coin introduced therein passes into the interior o-r generally vertically extending passageway 15 of the standard or pipe 12`and downward therethrough. Thus, the coin vslot 11 communicates with the upper endof the inter-nal passageway 15 of standard 12, so that coins inserted into the slot pass into the standard and gravitationally downward therein.

Extending generally sideways, or laterally and downward from the lower end of the standard 12 is an extension conduit or pipe 17. The extension conduit 1-7 may be integral with the standard 12, being formed say by bending the lower portion of the standard approximately or less. As best seen in Figures 1 and v2, the

laterally extending conduit 17 is embedded in the concrete or ground 13 beneath the ground surface 14.

Also embedded in the ground or concrete 13 is a generally vertically disposed, cylindrical casing or shell 20. The casing or shell 20 is located alongside of the lower region of standard 12, and has its upper end 21 open and substantially flush kor level with the ground surface 14. The casing 20 extends downward below the conduit 17 and may have its lower end closed by an end wall 22. At a location intermediate the upper and lower ends of the casing 20, the-lower or distal end of the conduit 17 is rigidly connected to the casing side wall, the latter being open, as at 23 vfor communication between the interior of the conduit and the interior of the casing 20. Thus, coins moving gravitationally downward in the 'standard or pipe '12 pass through the conduit 17 and the opening 23 of the casing 20. :On the upper end of the casing 20 may be provided a lid or closure 25 hinged to the casing proper, as at 26, for swinging movement between the closed, solid-line position of Figure 1, and the open positoin thereof in dot-dash outline. The extension conduit 17 is thus connected to the casing 20 at a side region thereof medially between the lower and upper ends of the casing. Spaced considerably below the upper end of the casing 20, and above the juncture of the casing and conduit 17, there are advantageously provided a pair of opposite recesses or openings 27 defined by holes in the casing side wall.

Removably engageable in the casing or shell 20 is a coin receptacle, generally designated 30. The receptacle 30 may be of generally cylindrical, hollow configuration for sliding insertion downward into the casing 20, and upward withdrawal from the latter. It will be noted that the receptacle 30 is of a height or length considerably less than that of the casing 20. More specifically, the receptacle 30 has its lower end closed by a bottom wall 31, and its upper end closed by a head 32, and is of such a height that the upper-end closure or head is located proximate to the casing openings 27 when the receptacle bottom wall is seated on the casing bottom wall. As best seen in Figure 6, the casing bottom wall is provided with any suitable configuration 33 adapted to interengage or intert with a similar configuration 34 on the receptacle bottom wall. As best seen in Figure 1, the bottom wall 31 of the receptacle 30 seats conformably on the bottom wall 22 of the casing 20 with the formations 33 and 34 in their interfitting engagement. An inlet opening 29 is provided in the side wall of the cylindrical receptacle 30 and located to register with the casing side-wall opening 23 and the extension conduit 17 when the formations 33 and 34 are in proper intertting engagement.

Interiorly of the head 32 on the upper end of receptacle 30 is a rotatable lock 35 which faces upward or outward from the head. The lock 35 is preferably provided with a key slot or hole 36 for actuation by a key. Pivotally connected to the lock 35, interiorly of the head 32, are a pair of locking members or arms 37 mounted for laterally extensile and retractile movement with respect to the receptacle upon rotation of the lock. More specifically, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the locking members or arms 37 each has its inner end pivoted, as at 38, to opposite sides of the lock 35, and has its outer end extending outward through an opening 39 in the periphery of the head. Upon rotation of the lock 35 from its position of Figure 4 wherein the locking arms 37 project laterally or radially beyond the head of the position of Figure 5, the arms withdraw or retract into the head. It will also be noted in the condition of Figure 4 that the locking members or arms project from the receptacle head 32 into the openings or recesses 27 formed in the casing 20, thereby locking the entire receptacle in position in the lower region of the casing.

It is therefore necessary to rotate the lock 35, as by insertion of the proper key 40 into the slot 36, in order to effect retraction of the arms 37 to their condition of Figure 5, wherein the receptacle may be withdrawn upwardly from the casing 20, as seen in Figure 2. This unlocking and withdrawal of the receptacle is facilitated by the use of an abnormally long key which serves also as a withdrawing tool, and without which both unlocking and withdrawal would be impossible or extremely difficult. It will now be appreciated that coins pass downward through the standard 12, conduit 17, and inlet opening 29 into the receptacle 30, where they are retained with a maximum security until removal by authorized personnel. This is easily accomplished by the use of an abnormally long key 40 both as the unlocking and withdrawing tool, whereupon the receptacle may be emptied, say through the opening 29, or other opening may be provided, if desired. The empty receptacle 30 is then slidably inserted downward into and replaced in the casing 20, and the lock rotated to engage the locking members 37 in the casing openings 27, whereupon the key is removed and the cover 2S closed, for further use of the device.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a coin-receiving mechanism and apparatus which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is welladapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, maintenance, and use.

Although the present invention has been described n some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What s claimed is: Y

1. A coin-machine apparatus comprising a vertical post having its lower end entirely embedded in the ground and provided with a generally vertical internal passageway, a coin receiving apparatus on an upper region of said post and provided with a coin-receiving slot communicating with an upper region of said passageway for passing coins to the latter, a conduit entirely within the ground extending laterally from a lower region of said post communicating with a lower region of said passageway, a generally vertical casing embedded within the ground and connected on one side at a vertically medial region to the extending end of said conduit in com- `munication therewith, said casing having its upper end substantially ush with the ground surface, an openable closure on the upper end of saidrcasing, n receptacle removably engaged in the lower region of said casing spaced from the upper end thereof and having a side inlet in its upper region opening through said casing into said conduit for receiving coins from the latter, and at least one locking arm mounted on said receptacle for lateral extensile and retractile movement into and out of locking interengagement with said casing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with interengageable means on said casing and receptacle constraining the latter to engagement in said casing with said inlet in alignment with said conduit.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with an upwardly facing key-actuable lock in the upper end of said receptacle connected to said locking arm for operating the latter from exteriorly of said casing through the upper end thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

